Question on presses

Well I've been reading about this stuff all night. I think I'm sold on the primer catcher, so that might bump the RCBS out of the running. The Lee classic seems like a reasonably priced unit. Kind of leaning towards the Hornady. I like the collets that I can lock my die's into, so no need to reset all the time. Kind of like a poor mans turret?
 
ben hunchak said:
My Co-ax would certainly work with that round, maybe you have a Bonanza model that is not tall enough? But I do agree, the Forster Co-ax is the best press out there and makes the best ammo.
Instant die change, no screwing or unscrewing, preset dies just slide in, no shellholders to buy, cartridge self centers in the die for least chance of run-out, dead primers fall down tube in screw on/off container, no mess, no primers on the floor, dual rams, most leverage advantage of all presses.
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And don't forget to mention what a royal pain it is to change the shell plates around when you go from one different rim size to another ?
The Co-Ax will be a very tight fit trying to do 338 Lapua cases.
As for the most leverage advantage, I'll never believe that..
What I will believe though is the price.... it is probably three or more times the cost of a Lee Classic cast and its sure as hell not any better in my opinion and I have both.
As for making the best ammo ?.... I've checked run-out many times and I can load equally as good with the Lee Classic Cast as I can with any of my other presses, Forster included.
Sure the Forster is a good press but for a beginner on a budget its a huge expense and if that same beginner decides that loading is not their bag it would be impossible to sell that expensive press and recover the money.
We aren't all millionaires.....
 
I'd just buy a Redding T-7 and be done with it.
I loaded on a Rockchucker for 25 years and switched to a T-7. So far I've not regretted it.
 
Redding are a very nice product as well, I looked at the Ultramag, but didn't need the extra height. I use 2 Co-ax presses and a Rockchucker, and have had no problems.
 
I've got the Ultra Mag as well Ben but honestly it see's next to nothing for use.
I've decapped a pile of brass with it and its comforting knowing that its there if I ever have to go heavy duty on something but the slick little T-7 see's most of the action.
 
IMagius said:
One other thing to consider in presses is the newer style using "quick change" dies.

Never used one myself, and probably never will. I don't like the idea of spending money on a die that will only work on a specific style of press.
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:confused::confused: ! Dies are standard dies which screw into a "L&L" bushing. There are no restrictions whatsoever as far as dies are concerned.

My SS press is a Redding Ultramag fitted with Hornady's L&L conversion bushing. This "conversion" is cheap, reversible, and gives you turret press speed along with the Ultramag's superior capacity. Not all models of press accept the Hornady L&L conversion bushing. The Ultramag is one that does and if you're going to load .338 LM, its a press you'll want to own.
 
And now I have learned something. Thank you. I had been led to believe that they were not a standard threaded die, and with that incorrect information in hand, had made my own decision to simply avoid them since I prefer maximum versatility options out of anything I buy.
 
I started out with a LEE Breech Lock press and it was very good and easy to swap dies out of. I wanted a turret press and bought a Lyman T-Mag II and couldn't be happier. It's a very good press.
 
acrashb said:
Here is an overview of press features.

RCBS does not have through-ram primer disposal, nor does Hornady. Forster does, also the Lee Classic Cast.
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Great link! Good information there.

So it appears I cannot have the quick change die system of the Hornady, and the through ram primer capture system of the Lee together in one package. :( :(

Really on the fence here. I have seen some positive responses to the Lee Classic Cast. How about the Lee with the turret? I really like the idea of locking in the dies and not having to worry about them again. I am only loading 3 different rifle calibers, so having three turrets would not a big cost. Does the Lee turret style capture the spent primers?
 
REPO said:
Great link! Good information there.

So it appears I cannot have the quick change die system of the Hornady, and the through ram primer capture system of the Lee together in one package. :( :(
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Sure you can. The Lee Classic Cast will take a bushing that will let you use the Hornady L&L things, or Lee has their own version. The Lee Classic Turret will let you lock your dies into the turret and it also catches the primers through the ram.
 
The classic cast breech lock has a removable bushing. You buy a bushing for each die and leave it on the die. I have presses like this and I don't use it. I just leave one bushing in the press and screw dies in and out like normal.

I would recommend the regular Classic Cast for your .338 LM and I see Lee now offers dies for this calibre as well.
 
The distance from the part of the shell holder that the base of a case sits on to the bottom of a sizing die in a Lee Classic Turret is approx 4.125".

I believe a typical longer length .338 LM is around 3.75" OAL so it should clear fine. As Zuke said a call to Lee would provide the best answer.
 
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